Fall Planting and Pruning Tips, Ideas

The advice by many experts regarding fall pruning is “DON’T DO IT” as it can cause more harm than good.

• Pruning in the fall would stimulate new growth when a plant should be trying to go dormant.

• New growth weakens the plant which is not what a plant needs when it is heading into winter.

• Fall pruning creates a wound that can result in a more severe winterkill

Good time to prune

• Middle of winter or early spring if you absolutely can’t stop yourself.

• When it is sunny and dry as pruning while it is wet/damp outside will cause diseases to spread. Damp weather promotes mold and bacteria.

• In the spring once a plant has finished flowering.

Pruning too much

• Most plants don’t require pruning-Fruit trees and overgrown shrubs are really the only thing that requires it and helps them to produce more fruits and flowers.

Pruning focus

• Dead or dying branches

• Low hanging branches

• Prune back to the main stem

• Leaving a stub sticking out opens your tree or shrub up to bacteria or gives insects a home.

“Fall Planting Ideas and Tips”

Fall is a refreshing, beautiful time of the year. Reap great rewards from your gardening plots by planting a garden in the fall. You should also take some time to get your spring off to a great start by planting more bulbs.

• Autumn’s cooler air temperatures are easier on both plants and gardeners.

• The soil is still warm, allowing roots to grow until the ground freezes. In spring, plants don’t grow until the soil warms up.

• The late season is usually bargain time at garden centers that are trying to sell the last of their inventory before winter.

• Some pests and disease problems fade away in the fall

Watch the weather and make a planting plan

• Always consult the seed packet to see how many days it takes until maturity, and count backward from your frost date to allow enough time.

• The window for fall planting ends about six weeks before your area gets hit with a hard frost, usually September or October.

• Try to plant in the morning when it is cooler out.

• Overcast days when humidity is higher are best, when the sun isn’t as harsh.

• To prevent weeds growing near your bulbs or plants apply an inch or two of mulch to the surface of your planting area. This will help prevents weeds from breaking through the soil surface, and stop the weeds from getting any nutrients from the soil.

• Water your plants right after planting to help them start taking root. Water them an inch each week after planting unless you have had recent rainfall.

• Apply fertilizer at the first sign of growth. Fertilizer should also be applied once the leaves start dying back.

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